Match-machine.



No. 722,381. PATENTBD MAR. 10, 1903.

E. B. STOCKING. MATCH MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.15, 1902. N0 MODEL.

4 BHEBTSSHEBT 1.

No. 722.331. PATENTED MAR. 10, 1903. E. B. STOCKING. MATCH MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.15, 1902.

4 SHEETSBHEET 2.

I" 1 INVENTOR No. 722,331. PATENTED MAR. 10, 1903.

E. B. STOCKING. MATCH MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-15- 1902. N0 MODEL.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

NVENTOR PATENT'ED MAR. 10, 1903.

E. B. STOCKING.

MATCH MACHINE.

APPLICATION IILBD AUG. 15, 1902.

4 sums-sum 4.,

N 0 M 0 DE L.

WITNESS UNrrisn *rnrns EDGAR B. STOCKING, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

MATCH-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 722,331, dated March 10, 1903.

Application filed August 15, 1902. Serial No. 119,805. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDGAR B. STOCKING, a citizen of the United States, residing at WVashington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

Thisinvention relates to a machine for making matches, and is herein shown and described as embodied in that class of matchmachines which employ an endless carrier adapted to receive, carry, dip, and tip match sticks or splints in a continuous process, the endless carrier being of such a length and moving at such a speed that the drying of the dipping solution and tipping composition may or will be effected between the insertion and discharge of the splints and the completed matches, respectively.

Among the objects of the invention is to produce a carrier of the greatest simplicity in construction and of a large capacity in proportion to its length in the number of splints that it can carry and requiring the least possible power for moving it through its path.

Another object in view is a simplification of the means whereby the match-splint-clamping members of the carrier are adapted to perform the functions of receiving, carrying, and discharging splints.

Another object in view is the simplification of said match receiving, carrying, and discharging element itself.

Heretofore in the art to which this invention relates endless carriers have been made of perforated plates hinged or linked together at their-edges, into the perforations of which match-splints were forced by a specially-constructed cutter-head, and cutters which produced the splints from a block or blocks of wood. Anotherformof endlesscarrierknown in the art is a series of clamps mounted in endless chains, one at each end of the clamps, one member of each pair of clamping-bars being spring pressed or otherwise forced against its mate. Another form of endless carrier known in the art comprises a series of adjacent clamping-bars without a spring for forcing them into clamping relation, which bars were removably mounted in endless chains, one at each end thereof, for the purpure of forming a space for the insertion and discharge of splints and matches, respectively, while the clamping relation of said bars was maintained by the proportionate length of the links of the chains by which the bars were carried when in clamping relation. Another form of endless carrier com prises a series of bars permanently mounted at each end in an endless chain and at such a distance from each other that match-splints are forcibly inserted between the said bars and forcibly ejected therefrom as completed matches. Another form of endless carriers known in the art is bars or blocks mounted in an endless chain at each end thereof and adapted to open for the reception of splints and the discharge of matches, respectively, by causing the endless chain to pass through a curved paththat is to say, about or partly about sprockets. When in a straight path, the clamping elements of this class of carriers were intended to be and remain in clamping relation only.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to avoid the necessity of the emp1oyment of either springs, proportionate links, wedges, or other devices arranged in the series of bars to control the same for the purpose of discharge and insertion and at other times for maintaining them in clamping re lation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is an end elevation of a series of bars, each of which is constructed in accordance with my invention, with successive bars in the series represented in the position which each bar as sumes during the discharge, insertion, and carriage of matches and splints, respectively. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a pair of bars of modified form in the position assumed when discharging matches. Fig. 3 is a similar view of similar bars in position to receive splints. Fig. 4 is a similar view of a separate bar,with modifications in its form indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of the operation of insertion. Fig. Bis a perspective of an end portion of a bar. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view in elevation of the endless chain and aportion of a sprocket for driving the same. Fig. 8 is a partial plan of a series of bars in positions of carrying, discharging, preparing for insertion, and. insertion, together with the endless chain and the means for controlling the bars, the side frame of the machine being shown in horizontal section. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of Fig. 8 with the frame removed. Fig. 10 is a vertical transverse section of one side of a machine embodying my invention with portions in elevation. Fig. 11 is a detail of the clutch and its operating-lever, and Fig. 12 is a side elevation and partially-diagrammatic view of an entire machine embodying my invention.

Like characters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

The main principle of myinvention is giving such a conformation (polygonal or other) to each of the bars of the carrier of a matchmachine that by rotatably changing its position with relation to an adjacent bar the space between the two shall be varied so as to permit the introduction of splints, whereupon by another change in position with relation to the adjacent bar said splints are clamped and carried, and by still a third change in position completed matches may be discharged therefrom, these changes in position being produced by a partial rotation of the bar upon its axis.

Referring to Fig. 1, each bar A of a series thereof constituting an endless carrier when mounted or carried by a suitable endless chain or chains is shown as having eight sides, which I denominate as follows: 1, the top; 2, the bottom; 3, the left clamping side; 4, the right clamping side; 5, an upper left clearance side; 6, an upper right clearance side; 7, a lower left clearance side, and 8 a lower right clearance side. As the clamping sides 3 and 4 are the only positively-acting sides, it is apparent that a polygonal outline is not essential. By the terms clearance side I mean a side surfaceor portion which provides a space for the insertion of splints or for the discharge of completed matches that is to say, the clearance sides or surfaces of each bar are at a less distance from the axial line of the bar than are the clamping sides or surfaces thereof.

As indicated in Fig. 4 and as will hereinafter appear, the sides 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are inactive in the practical functions of the bar, and therefore in order to save weight in the carrier as a whole the inactive portions or faces or sides-as, for example, those indicated by the curved dotted lines l 2 may be removed, thus immateri'ally, in a functional sense, changing the conformation of the bar. Each of the bars is provided at each end with a pintle or journal B, by which it is connected with an endless chain at each end, as hereinafter described. The pintles serve as bearings for the rotative action of the bar.

The operation of the bars will be clearly understood by reference to Fig. 1. Assuming that the series of bars shown in this figure are mounted in endless chains and are passing through what is known as the head of the machine, Where matches are discharged and splints formed and inserted into the carrier, it will be noted that faces or sides 3 and 4 of adjacent bars are the clamping faces or sides of the bars and are at such distances from each other when opposite each other that they clamp the matches or splints X. Now by reason of the inclination of the sides 5, 6, '7, and 8 they are brought nearer to the center of the bar, so that when a side 5 or 6 is opposite a clamping side 3 or 4 of an adjacent bar a wide space is formed for the purpose of discharging matches or inserting splints. The matches are intended to fall by gravity; but, as is frequently the case, some of the matches havingbeen compressed between the bars adhere, after the bars are separated, with sufficient firmness to prevent the match from falling from the bar. Any suitable obstruction, such as the bar Y, may be arranged across the path of and below the carrier, so that in its advancement the adhering match comes in contact with said bar and is thus separated therefrom, so that it will be discharged.

The insertion of splints occurs when a space of sufficient width is produced between adjacent bars. Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that for forming the space for the discharge of matches the bar A has been rotated to the left to bring the clearance side 5 opposite the clamping side 4 of the bar in rear thereof. Now it is apparent that by a reversal of the rotation of the bar A the clearance side 6 may be brought opposite the clamping side 3 of an adjacent bar to form a space for insertion. This rotation may be accomplished in one movement, so as to bring the inserting-space adjacent to the next bar in advance of a bar forming a dischargingspace; but as in an organized match machine it is not preferable to have the discharging and inserting processes take place in too close proximity, by reason of the presence of the cutter-head and cutters, I have subdivided the movement from discharge to insertion into two steps, wherein the bar A is first rotated to the left to form a discharge-space between it and the bar in rear thereof (see arrow 00) and then is rotated to the right (see arrow 1 to form an in serting-space. The timing of these two motions may be such that the bar A may be maintained in either of its positions for such a period as to separate the discharging and inserting spaces to any desired distance. The clearance sides 7 and 8 are opposite each other only in changing the bar from the position which provides a discharging-space to the position which provides an insertingspace. For this reason substantially all of the portion of the bar except the clamping sides 3 and 4 may be removed, as indicated in Fig. 4.

Evening the splints when inserted and forcibly discharging the matches may be accom- IIO plished by a modification in the form of the bar, which is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, in which projections 5 or 6 are formed in the clearance sides 5 and 6. Referring to Fig. 2, in which the bar A at the right has been rotated to the left, as shown by arrow 41:, the projection 5 is intended to contact with the upper end of the completed match and force it downwardly from between the bars. In Fig. 3 in the act of inserting or receiving splints the projection 6 acts as an evener for a row of splints at the time they are inserted, as no splint can be inserted beyond the projection. It is understood that the projections extend longitudinally from end to end of the body of the bar.

The operation of insertion is illustrated in Fig. 5.

I deem it proper to state at this point that all of the illustrations of my invention, as shown in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, are upon a scale of a trifle more than two to onethat is to say, that the bars, chain, and adjuncts are shown a trifle more than twice their actual size in an operative machine and this for the purpose of clearness in illustration.

Now, referring to Fig. 5, 0 represents the cutter, which forms the splints from a block, it being of course understood that a series of such cutters are employed, comprising from thirty to forty, all mounted in a reciprocating cutter-head, and it is understood that the carrier herein shown and described is endless, as indicated in Fig. 12, and that the operations of discharge and insertion of matches and splints, respectively, take place in what is known as the head of the machine. It is further to be understood that said carrier may be driven step by step throughout a portion thereof or throughout its entire length or that said carrier may be continuously operated throughout its entire length. The particular purpose of Fig. 5 is that of illustrating how and why the endless carrier constructed in accordance with myinvention can be continuously driven and at the same time how matches may be inserted therein from a reciprocating cutter-head and cutters. The cutter O is illustrated at that point in its operation when it has formed a splint X and has risen to the highest point in its upward reciprocation. The upper end of the splint is now in the wide space provided by thejuxtaposition of the clearance side (5 of the bar in the rear, with the clamping side 3 of the bar in front of the splint. These bars are understood as moving in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 5. Consequently the first action is that the splint X is pressed to the front, as shown by dotted lines X. The rotation of the bar A, together with its forward movement, brings it to the clamping position, as shown by the dotted outline thereof in Fig. 5. Now it will be noticed that the cutter 0 has the rear wall 0 of its splint-forming aperture inclined rearwardly, whereby the inclination of the splint X to the position shown by dotted lines X is readily permissible. The splint now being clamped by the bars and the cutter-head having departed therefrom in its downward reciprocation, the lower end of the splint as soon as freed from the cutter springs to the position X so that by utilizing the large space formed for insertion the inclination of the upper end of the splint and the springing forward of the lower end of the splint provision is made for the insertion of splints into a continuously-moving carrier.

The bars are mounted at each end non-removably in an endless chain D, the links D of which are connected together by the hollow or tubular pintles D The contour of the links at their upper and lower facesis cut with more than usual depth at the mid-length D thereby adapting the chain to be driven by a sprocket E, the teeth E of which are adapted to take driving contact with the chain. Preferably there is employed a sprocket E at opposite faces of the chain.

The pintle B has projected therefrom a square bearing B, which I have adopted as one of many forms of connection for a device for controlling the position of the bar to adapt it to the various functions of its various sides, as above fully described. Upon the pintle B at each end of the bar there is mounted a barcarrying roller F, which is in the nature of an antifriction roller, and this roller may be mounted eitherinside of the chain or upon the outside of the chain, as shown in Fig. 8, as desired. Now while I am aware that it is common to provide antifriction-rollers in mechanism wherever preferred or required I deem it proper to state that the provision of such a device upon each end of a each individual match clamping and carrying element of the carrierserves to materially reduce the amount of power required to move the carrier throughout its endless path and also facilitates the rotation of each individual bar by means which otherwise would be required to be of considerable weight and strength.

The specific means for partially rotating the individual bars of the carrier consists in this instance of arms G, mounted upon the bearing B of the pintle B of the bar and retained thereon by a pinF or any other suitable means. Each arm G is bent outward, so as to clear the pi'ntle of a succeeding, or it may be preceding, bar and carries at its end a roller G. This roller rides upon a track H, which may extend throughout the entire path 'of the endless chain, if desired; but as the clamping sides 3 and 4 are practically in line with the pintles of the bar and as a track I, Fig. 10, maybe provided throughout the path of the carrier and at each end of the bar these two precautions--to wit, the alinement of the clamping sides and the provision of tracks 1- render it unnecessary to extend the tracks H throughout the machine; but for reasons soon to be apparent I prefer to extend said track II through the head of the machine. A

, the arrows in Figs. 8 and 9 from their normal position on the level portion of the track H to positions to form and to close spaces-as, for example, as shownbe1ow the track to produce the space for discharging matches and thence upwardly above the normal position to turn a bar into position to form the space for the insertion of splints and thence back to the normal position of the rollers to bring a bar a into clamping relation with the bar next in advance thereof. If arm G extends toward a preceding bar, its movements are reversed. It should be remembered that the drawings are upon a very much enlarged scale, the arms G projecting from a bar at distances equal to the location of the center of the next bar, and thus producing an exaggerated variation of the tracks H and J from a straight line or normal course. This, when the parts are reduced to actual size, is also reduced, so that a very rapid movement of the carrier as a whole is not interfered with by the very slight resistance to its movement of the devices employed for and the very light work involved in a partial rotation of a single bar of the carrier to produce discharge and insertion spaces and to bring them into their normal or clamping relation.

The driving mechanism to be employed for giving an endless carrier constructed as above described movement throughout its entire path may be of any desired character. It is, however, preferable that a driving mechanism be provided which will be applied generously at diiferent points of the endless carrier throughout its path, and particularly at points where it changes direction over the carrying and driving sprockets E, usual in the art. However, in addition to these general provisions I have made a provision for driving the bars positively and directly from the main shaft of the machine at the point where the inserting-space occurs in the head of the machine. This is essential to facilitate the operation of insertion in order that the carrier shall not race or lag at that point immediately above the cutter-head and cutters.

K is the main shaft of the driving mechanism. It has two cranks K, one at each side of the machine, connected by connecting-rods K with the cross-head K carrying the cutters G, secured to the cross-head by a plate K and bolts K or by any other suitable means. Gibs K project from the inner face of the frame L, in which the cutter-head reciprocates. The shaft K carries a gear M,

which meshes with a pinion N on a countershaft 0, mounted in suitable bearings O, which counter-shaft also carries a belt-pulley P and one member Q of a clutch, these ele ments being fixed to the shaft 0. The other member Q of the clutch is slidably mounted upon the shaft and has a groove Q in its periphery. Within this groove is mounted the side bars R of a shifting arm R, secured to a lever S, pivoted at S, so that the reciprocation of this lever in one direction will throw the clutch in connection with its mate, and a reciprocation in the opposite direction will disconnect the clutch from its mate. A heavy fly-wheel P is also mounted upon the shaft 0, as is customary. Upon the main shaft K there is a beveled gear T, meshing with a mate T, mounted on a vertical shaft T which is provided with Worms T meshing with worm-gears T fixed upon cross-shafts T the lower one of which is short, supported in the bearings T and carries the lower chain feeding sprocket E, that projects through an opening 1, formed in the track I, and contacts with the lower face of the chain D, while the other shaft T, mounted in a bearing T extends completely across the machine and carries the upper sprockets E, one of which is shown, and suitable connection with a shaft like the lower shaft T which carries the opposite lower sprocket E at the opposite side of the machine. A beveled gear U meshes with the gear T and is mounted on a horizontal shaft U, which is suitably connected with a companion vertical shaft T at the other end of the machine, and it may be at various points between the ends of the machine for the purpose of driving similar sprockets having driving connection with the carrier. The shafts are to be supported in any suitable well-known manner from or upon the framework of the machine as usually constructed.

The dotted lines V, Fig. 12, indicate an upward extension of the side frame L for the purpose of supporting the sprocket and driving-shafts of the machine.

The machine as an entirety will now be considered, and reference to Fig. 12 is had, which gives a general view of the principal elements of the machine. The side frame L has within it, as shown by dotted lines, the curved tracks J and H, terminating at each end of the head of the machine, the endless carrier being understood as moving in the direction of the arrow, so that splints are inserted and matches discharged, the latter falling onto a shelf V at the left of the head and the former being conducted by the carrier over and under suitable sprockets E, which may or may not, as desired, be positively driven, and which are located over the paraffin-pan W. Suitable heating-pans V having the usual steam inlet and outlet connections, are arranged beneath the carrier to heat the splints before and after the application of paraffin thereto.

The stoppage of the processes of dipping and tipping is provided for by the following mechanism: The paraffin-pan W is adapted to be heated by steam or otherwise by means of a flexible steam-pipe W, connected with any suit-able source of steam. It also has a draw-off or discharge pipe W Any wellknown suitable paraflining apparatus may be substituted for that herein shown and now to be described. The pan W is supported by jointed standards W one at each corner thereof, and these standards are connected bya rod W. Beneath the pan there are pedestals W upon which the pan rests in its lowest position. Guides W project upwardly from the pedestals and run in gibs W upon the sides of the pan to direct its motions vertically. A rod V7 is connected with the joint of the jointed standards and with the starting and stopping lever S at V (see Fig. 10,) so that when the said lever b is thrown to theright in Fig. 10 the jointed supports are brought to the position shown in dotted lines, thereby removing the pan and its contents away from the splints X in the carrier thereover. A rod Z is connected with the joint of the jointed standards VV and with a rock-arm Z mounted upon the shaft of the composition-roller Z within the com positionpan Z. This roller is adapted to be rotated by a belt Z or any other suitable mechanism. In the rock-arms, there being one at each end of the composition -roller, there is mounted a distributing-roller Z which takes composition from the roller and conveys it to the splints X. Now it will be seen that when the lever S is thrown to the right to disconnect the power and stop the machine not only will the paraffin-pan be separated from the splints, but also the composition-applying device will be thrown to the position shown in dotted lines at the right of Fig. 12. So, also, with an opposite movement of the lever S to start the machine will the pan and distributingroller be brought to an operating position.

It is apparent that the matchclamping bars herein shown and described may be employed in connection with endless flexible chains, as shown, or with other means, flexible or not,for supporting and moving the bars, so long as said bars are mounted in said other means in a manner permitting them to be partially rotated to form inserting and discharging spaces. Such other means may be an ordinary dipping-frame with bar-supporting elements which are not flexible.

\Vhen composition is applied direct from the composition roller to the splints, the quantity of the composition applied is excessive,thereby producing irregular and very large heads to the matches, and these are liable to break away and fly off from the splint when the match is struck. There is also in such cases an extravagant use of composition. In order to secure a smaller-head and an economical use of the composition, I have interposed between the com position-roller and carrier a distributing-roller Z, whereby the composition is reduced to a thinner coating than can practically be secured upon the composition-roller itself, so that advantageous re-.

sults are secured in addition to the advantage of separating the composition-applying means from the splints when the machine is stopped or in case of a fire in the splints at that part of the machine.

Having described my invention and set forth its merits, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Amatch-clampingbarhavingaclamping side and an adjacent match-splint-evening projection; substantially as specified.

2. A match-clamping bar having clamping sides and adjacent to one of said sides a match-splint-evening projection and adjacent to another of said sides a match-ejecting projection; substantially as specified- 3. A continuous series of rotatable matchclamping bars each having clamping sides and clearance sides, and means for rotating about its axis, each bar in rearof an adjacent bar in clamping position for the purpose of forming a space for the insertion of splints.

t. A continuous series of rotatable matchclamping bars each having clamping and clearance sides, and means for rotating about its axis, each bar in front of a bar in clamping position for the purpose of discharging completed matches.

5. The combination with endless chains of a continuous series of match-clamping bars permanently and rotatably connected to said chains,each of said bars having clamping and clearance sides and means for separately rotating each bar of the series.

6. In a match-machine, the combination of adjacent rotatable clamping-bars, means for rotating one of said bars, and means for preventing rotation of an adjacent bar; substantially as specified.

7. A match-clamping bar having clamping sides at opposite sides of its axis, and clearance sides adjacent to said clamping sides; and an arm operated by the travel of the carrier to rotate the bar; substantially as specified.

8. A rotatable match-clamping bar having clamping sides and clearance sides, and means operated by the travel of a carrier to rotate said bar; substantially as set forth.

9. A match-clamping bar having a clamp ing side and an adjacent splint-ejecting projection; substantially as specified.

10. A match-machine carrier comprising a continuous series of rotatable match-clampwhich has clamping and clearance sides and pintles connected with the chains, means for supporting each bar and the link of the chain with which it is connected, and means for partially rotating each bar; substantially as specified.

13. In a match-machine, a carrier comprising endless chains, bars having clamping sides, clearance sides and pintles mounted in said chains, friction-rollers mounted upon said pintles, and means for partially rotating the bars; substantially as specified.

14. In a match-machine, a carrier comprising endless chains, bars having clamping and clearance sides, and means for partially rotating each bar of the series in succession; substantially as specified.

15. In a match-machine, an endless carrier comprising bar supporting and carrying elements, bars each having clamping and clearance sides, and means for partially rotating the bars to produce discharging and inserting spaces and to bring the clamping sides into operation; substantially as specified.

16. In a match-machine, a carrier comprising partially-rotatable bars having clamping and clearance sides, means for partially rotating said bars connected therewith, and a track for controlling said rotating means; substantially as specified.

17. In a match-machine, a carrier comprising adjacent rotatable bars each having clamping sides and clearance sides,and means for maintaining said bars in clamping relation and for rotating said bars while in a common plane for the purpose of forming discharging and inserting spaces between the bars; substantially as specified.

18. In a match-machine, the combination of a cutter-head and cutters with an endless carrier comprising partially-rotatable bars having clamping sides and clearance sides, and means for partially rotating each. bar independently of the remaining bars in the series; substantially as specified.

19. In a match-machine, the combination with a cutter-head and cutters the latter having a rear continuously-inclined wall in the match-forming opening thereof, of a carrier comprising rotatable bars having clamping sides and adjacent clearance sides, and with means for partially rotating each bar independently of an adjacent bar; substantially as specified.

20. In a match-machine, the combination with a constantly-moving carrier thereof, of a cutter-head having cutters each provided with a match-forming aperture constructed to permit an inclination of a splint in a line longitudinally of the carrier; substantially as specified.

21. In a match-machine, a carrier comprising rotatable bars each having clamping sides and clearance sides, and means for rotating said bars independently during a movement of the carrier; substantially as specified.

22. In a match-machine, a carrier comprising rotatable bars each having clam ping sides and clearance sides, means for rotating said bars independently, chains in which said bars are mounted at each end, rotatably, and sprockets drivinglyconnected with said chain at the point at which said bars are rotated; substantially as specified.

23. In a match-machine, the combination with a carrier comprising adjacent rotatable bars having clamping and clearance sides, means for rotating said bars independently, means for positively driving said bars at the point at which they are rotated, and a cutterhead and cutter adapted to insert matches between said bars at the point at which one of them is partly rotated; substantially as specified.

24. In a match-machine and in combination with the carrier thereof, a composition-pan provided with a composition-roller, and a distributing-roller movably interposed between the carrier and the composition-roller; substantially as specified.

25. The combination of a carrier, and a cutter having walls that hold the splint against movement except in line with the movement of the carrier; substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDGAR B. STOCKING.

Witnesses:

HARRY G. B01312, ALFRED T. GAGE. 

